Saskatchewan Minute: More Police, Childcare Negotiations, and Sikh Heritage Month

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• Saskatchewan is planning to begin negotiations with the federal government on $10-a-day child care after the April 28th federal election. Education Minister Everett Hindley said that the Province wants to address concerns from families and operators before signing. Officials aim to secure a deal that adds more childcare spaces while reflecting Saskatchewan’s unique needs. The current agreement expires in March 2026.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan Marshals Service will officially launch in June, with the first group of experienced officers being sworn in on April 24th after completing an intensive training program. Their mandate includes tackling high-risk crimes such as gang activity, drug trafficking, and outstanding warrants, as well as supporting other police forces during emergencies or large-scale events. Chief Rob Cameron emphasized ongoing training and collaboration, noting that the service will also address rural issues like agricultural theft. Although some critics, including the NDP and RCMP union, argue that the resources could have been better spent expanding existing police forces, Premier Scott Moe maintains the marshals will complement - not replace - current services. The Marshals have garnered support from Indigenous communities, and Cameron sees their presence as necessary to address Saskatchewan’s growing crime challenges.
  
  
• Complaints to Saskatchewan’s ombudsman are on the rise. They rose by 11% in 2024, with over 4,000 requests for assistance, largely involving the Ministries of Social Services and Corrections. One notable case involved a man who died after a botched surgery, where the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) failed to follow trauma-informed practices and delayed reporting and communication with the family. The SHA has since updated its procedures and issued an apology. Complaints about the Pine Grove Correctional Centre more than doubled, prompting a systemic review into overcrowding and poor conditions. The Ombudsman’s office also resolved various individual issues, such as housing access and wrongful tax charges.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• Speaking to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), Premier Scott Moe announced 100 new provincially funded municipal police officers and reaffirmed support for previously planned additions of RCMP officers and Saskatchewan Marshals. He emphasized the need to address addiction-related crime by removing drug dealers from communities and ensuring families feel safe. Moe also highlighted expanded rural healthcare incentives and criticized US tariffs, warning of negative impacts on Canadian and American industries.
  
  
• Also at the SUMA Convention, local leaders voiced concerns about various provincial issues, including infrastructure damages caused by SaskTel, the homelessness crisis, and staffing shortages in northern communities. Wolseley Councillor Norman McDonald urged the provincial government to establish a formal funding program for aging infrastructure, a suggestion that Premier Scott Moe supported while emphasizing the upcoming federal election as an opportunity to advocate for a flexible cost-shared program.
  
  
• Saskatchewan officially designated April as Sikh Heritage Month after an NDP Private Member’s Bill passed with unanimous support. The change means the Sikh community no longer needs to request recognition annually. MLAs Bhajan Brar and Tajinder Grewal welcomed the decision, calling it a proud moment.